LPPD: Robbery suspect may be linked to others

LAKE PLACE — A man arrested this week in connection with the April 4 robbery of a Hispanic man is also being investigated in connection with two other robberies of Hispanic men earlier in the year, Lake Placid Police Chief James Fansler said Thursday.

Police said Rudolph struck the victim above his left eye with a handgun, knocked him to the ground and then stole his wallet.

Later, police said, they found the wallet. DNA evidence from the wallet led to Rudolph becoming a suspect in the robbery, the report said.

Fansler said Rudolph is considered a suspect in the two other similar robberies in January. Fansler also wouldn’t rule out that Rudolph might have been involved in robberies of Hispanics that occurred in Sun ‘n Lakes, Lake Placid.

Those robberies came amid a series of others with the victims being Hispanic. An undercover operation led to an arrest in Avon Park of a robbery suspect there.

Highlands County deputies also arrested two men in connection with a robbery in Sun ‘n Lake, Lake Placid on Jan. 5.

Anyone with information regarding the robberies should contact Lake Placid Police detective Stuart Troutman at (863) 699-3757 or lppd.st@gmail.com. Anonymous tips can be sent to lppd.tips@gmail.com or to Heartland Crime Stoppers at www.heartlandlandcrimestoppers.com.